World Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks

01:21 11 january 2018

01:21 11 january 2018 Source:
Associated Press

7 civilians killed in airstrikes in Syria's Idlib: monitor

At least seven civilians, including five children, were killed Tuesday by air strikes in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, the last outside government control, a monitor said. Government and allied forces backed by Russian warplanes have been battling jihadist fighters and rebels for over a week in an area straddling the border between Idlib and Hama provinces.The airstrikes targeted the town of Khan Subul in the center of Idlib province, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "There were at least seven dead, five children and two women," the Observatory said.

MOSCOW: Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow’s gains . Russia takes aim at US over series of Syria drone attacks .

Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains . But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

MOSCOW — Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria, Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains.

Syrian army preparing assault to end rebel siege of base east of capital

<p>The Syrian army backed by Russian jets escalated bombing of the last rebel bastion on the eastern outskirts of Damascus as they prepared to break a siege of an army base encircled by opposition forces, residents and witnesses said on Wednesday.</p>They said the army was amassing elite forces to prepare for a major assault on the Military Vehicles Administration, which is besieged by rebels. At least 200 troops were believed to be trapped within its sprawling, heavily defended grounds.

Image 10 of 10. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks . Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015.

Image 10 of 10. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks . Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015.

Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015. But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

The incursions have raised doubts both about the sustainability of the Assad government's recent victories and Moscow's ability to protect its assets in the country.

A drone raid on Saturday was unusually massive, involving 13 of the aircraft equipped with satellite navigation and launched from a distance of up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It said seven of the drones were shot down by air defense systems and the remaining six were forced to land.

At least seven Russian planes destroyed by shelling at Syrian air base: Kommersant

At least seven Russian planes were destroyed by rebel shelling at the Hmeymim air base in Syria on Dec. 31, Russian daily Kommersant reported late on Wednesday, citing two sources. In the single biggest loss of military hardware for Russia since it launched air strike in Syria in autumn 2015, more than 10 servicemen were wounded in the attack by "radical Islamists", the report said.At least four Su-24 bombers, two Su-35S fighters and an An-72 transport plane, as well as an ammunition depot, were destroyed by the shelling, Kommersant said on its website, citing two "military-diplomatic" sources.

Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains . But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

MOSCOW (AP) — Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains .

While the ministry said the attack caused no damage to the Hemeimeem air base in the province of Latakia and the naval outpost in the Syrian port of Tartus, it marked the first time the militants used drones against Russian assets on such a large scale.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Without directly blaming any specific country, the Russian military said the necessary data and capability for the attacks could only have been obtained "from one of the countries that possesses know-how in satellite navigation" — a statement that appeared to be directed at the United States.

It also noted a "strange coincidence" of a U.S. military intelligence plane flying over the Mediterranean near the two Russian bases at the moment of the attack.

Russian lawmakers skipped decorum, bluntly accusing the U.S. of sponsoring the drone attack. "That action wouldn't have been possible without involvement of American structures," said Gennady Zyuganov, head of the Communist Party and a member of the lower house.

Syria rebel enclave is Assad regime's weak spot

Syria's rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta near the capital is the regime's Achilles heel, and because of this it faces an almost inevitable military offensive, experts say. The battle-scarred region east of Damascus, which has been under near-daily bombardment and a crippling government siege since 2013, is strategically vital to President Bashar al-Assad.Despite residents facing a humanitarian crisis, rebels controlling the region have been able to use it as a launch pad for rocket and mortar attacks on the capital.

MOSCOW (AP) — Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains .

Union Co. sheriff identifies man who led deputies on chase through fields. 5th. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks .

Dmitry Sablin, a lawmaker who coordinates parliamentary links with Syria, told the Interfax news agency the attack was even bigger than the Russian military acknowledged, involving 31 drones.

The Pentagon strongly denied any involvement.

"Any suggestion that U.S. or coalition forces played a role in an attack on a Russian base is without any basis in fact and is utterly irresponsible," said Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman.

The Russian and the U.S. militaries have maintained regular contacts to avoid conflict between their forces in Syria. In recent months, however, the Russian military brass has become increasingly critical of the U.S. role in Syria, accusing it of protecting militants who can carry out future battles against Assad — a claim the U.S. has angrily denied.

The drone attack on the Russian assets in Syria also raised tensions between Russia and Turkey. Moscow and Ankara have backed opposite sides in the conflict, but they struck a deal last year to set up de-escalation zones, which also involved Iran, another Assad backer. The agreement has helped reduce fighting significantly and contributed to warmer ties between Russia and Turkey.

Syria: Tens of thousands flee as regime strikes Idlib

The number of civilians fleeing northern Syria is likely in the tens of thousands, UN officials say, as the government steps up its offensive on rebel-held areas.The Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad, has resumed airstrikes on rebel-held areas, such as Idlib province, where medical organizations say several hospitals and medical facilities have been hit over the past two weeks.

Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015. But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015. But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

The official military daily Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) cited the Defense Ministry as saying the drones targeting the Russian bases were launched from al-Mouazzara in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, where Turkey wields influence with some rebel groups.

The ministry said it has sent letters to Turkey's military leaders, asking them to use monitors to help prevent further attacks from Idlib.

Late last month, rebels in Idlib fired rockets at Hemeimeem, which were shot down by air defense systems protecting the base.

And on New Year's Eve, the air base came under mortar shelling for the first time since the start of the Russian campaign in Syria.

The business daily Kommersant reported the attack destroyed seven aircraft and caused a powerful explosion at an ammunition depot. The Russian Defense Ministry denied any of its aircraft were lost, but it acknowledged that two troops died in the shelling.

The losses brought the Russian official military death toll in Syria to 43.

The nearest rebel positions in the area are east of Latakia province in the Jabal al-Akrad region, from which the militants have targeted the city of Latakia with rockets and shells.

There have been reports in Arab media that the mortar attack might have come from within government controlled areas, hinting at local Alawite fighters or Iranian-backed gunmen seeking to send a message to Russia.

The daring use of short-range mortars also pointed to the inability of Syrian forces to protect the Alawite heartland from hit-and-run raids by the rebels. That could significantly raise the stakes for Moscow.

In a televised visit last month to the Hemeimeem air base where he declared victory over the Islamic State group, Putin praised the "excellent" performance of the Russian troops in Syria and he also ordered a partial withdrawal of the forces.

"You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier — courage, valor, team spirit, decisiveness and excellent skills," he said. "The Motherland is proud of you."

Asked if the pullback announcement was premature, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the remaining Russian forces have "all the necessary means" to fend off any attacks by the militants.

___

Associated Press writer Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed.

'Chlorine attack' on Syrian rebel enclave .
Health workers in Eastern Ghouta say six people were treated for breathing problemsPeople in the Eastern Ghouta region, which is under daily bombardment, reported a smell of gas after a missile strike.

— Share news in the SOC. Networks

Topical videos:

Russia kills 600 terrorists in Syria as result of cruise missile strikes

A Syrian army spokesman says the air force has carried out nearly 120 airstrikes against terrorist positions across the country since Sunday. The spokesman said that the airstrikes hit more...

Similar from the Web

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - en.annahar.com

MOSCOW: Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow’s gains . Russia takes aim at US over series of Syria drone attacks .

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - abcnews.go.com

Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains . But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.mysanantonio.com

Image 10 of 10. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks . Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015.

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.sfgate.com

Image 10 of 10. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks . Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015.

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - myconnection.cox.com

Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains . But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks | World - www.stltoday.com

MOSCOW (AP) — Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains .

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.nydailynews.com

MOSCOW (AP) — Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria , Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains .

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.wsoctv.com

Union Co. sheriff identifies man who led deputies on chase through fields. 5th. Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks .

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.actionnewsjax.com

Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015. But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

Russian gains in Syria threatened by series of rebel attacks - www.icflorida.com

Russian bases located in Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite heartland had been immune to rebel raids ever since Moscow launched its campaign in Syria in September 2015. But a series of drone attacks and mortar and rocket shelling in recent days has broken the calm.

<p>Labor costs have been climbing, even in developing countries. And technology is becoming so advanced that machines can increasingly handle difficult tasks.</p>It’s a big change from a few years ago, when hundreds of employees could be found standing over manual knitting stations […]

Some say the trouble started over a flip-flop. By Friday, the feud had escalated into a bloody melee between guards and vacationers.Carnival said it would investigate what happened after a video surfaced, showing the guards punching, kicking and threatening passengers during the worst of […]

A skit in the annual Lunar New Year gala, which is broadcast live to millions, aimed to accentuate African ties. But many found the portrayals offensive. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing NewsletterHannah Getachew, 30, a law student Peking University from Ethiopia, said that while an […]

The death of Russian citizens in Syria from a US coalition strike last week, which has been played down by both Moscow and Washington, has exposed the role of Russian mercenaries in the multi-front conflict. The incident followed a steady trickle of reports about Russians dying in battle […]

All the students in a tiny village in Kosovo have gathered to celebrate a very special day for Pavaresia Sopi — a 10th birthday with deep significance for her whole Balkan nation. Load Error Pavaresia, whose name means "independence" in Albanian, was the first baby born in an […]

<p>A 4.4-magnitude earthquake shook South Wales on Saturday.</p>The epicenter was a few miles north of the town of Swansea, Wales, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS), but tremors could be felt across South Wales and the southwest of […]

<p>A 7.5 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City.</p>The epicenter was close to the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 26.7 miles (43 km), according to the U.S. Geological […]

<p>South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he hopes rapprochement will lead to "dialogue" between North Korea and the United States.</p>“There have been many achievements in advancing inter-Korean talks,” Moon said, “and I hope that this will lead to an improvement in […]